Premier League: Can Foxes Continue to Flourish Amidst the Frustration?

Arsenal vs Leicester City

In recent years, this has been a meeting between the underachievers and the overachievers.

When I describe Leicester City as the latter, it is no way meant disrespectfully.

Their success over the last six years – most notably last year’s FA Cup triumph and the unforgettable never-to-be-repeated Premier League title in 2016 – is the stuff of folklore and defied the odds in the modern world of the super club.

By contrast, North London giants Arsenal mustered just three FA Cup successes in Arsene Wenger’s final 12 years in charge.

Considering five of those seasons came after his old adversary Sir Alex Ferguson had retired and you can see why the Gunners have under achieved and been given a bloody nose by the likes of the Foxes on more than one occasion.

However, now in 2022, it seems these two clubs are heading in opposite directions.

Not for one minute do I think Arsenal are in a position to challenge for the title this term. But the fact they appear to making progress under Mikel Arteta and have spent more than £110 –M in the transfer market this summer is what you’d expect.

By contrast, Leicester have not made a single signing and are laudably fending off bids for their star players left, right, and centre – even though it is reported they need to sell to bring new faces in as the squad is currently at its limit of 25 players and they have no desire to let their key men leave.

For that is the reality given the size of the clubs and shows just how fine Leicester’s achievements have been in recent years, initially under Claudio Ranieri and now with Brendan Rodgers at the helm.

This match, however, may show how the tide appears to be turning back towards the status quo.

Talking Points

Arsenal are looking for another Premier League win against Leicester City — Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus reacts during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace

Arsenal were actually responsible for the first thrall of Premier League 2022 highlights as they won at Crystal Palace last Friday in the opening match.

It was nervy at times, but they looked robust physically and quick in transition while one of their new recruits Gabriel Jesus looked sharp with promising displays from youngsters Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba, three years after being signed by the club.

Could their additions, coupled with uncertainty at both Chelsea and Manchester United, help them secure a top four finish this season and a return to the Champions League?

Well, certainly games like this weekend’s encounter will need to be overcome to achieve that goal.

It appears to be a good time to play Leicester City whose involvement in a Sunday smasher last weekend didn’t turn out as they had hoped, throwing away a 2-0 advantage to draw at home with battling Brentford.

Rodgers spoke of the need for a heathy shakeup of his squad towards the end of last season and has a good relationship with the club’s owner and chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, so will not criticise the board for a lack of signings.

Yet, with just under three weeks left in the transfer window and teams circling for star players, they find themselves in a precarious position.

That situation was highlighted last week with the news that Ricardo Pereira – who has had bad luck with injury over a number of years – has been ruled out for up to six months due to a ruptured Achilles, while winger Harvey Barnes will miss the next few weeks with a knee problem.

If Leicester can say farewell to a few fringe players and strengthen, they will benefit. What they can’t afford is to lose key men and not replace them. Not if they want to keep giving the established clubs a bloodied nose anyway.

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History

When Leicester won on Arsenal turf in October 2020, it not only sent shockwaves around the Premier League but was their first triumph against them in North London since 1973.

Arsenal gained revenge in the Midlands the following February when David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette (penalty), and Nicolas Pepe scored three quick goals in a 3-1 win.

They then went onto complete a league double over the Foxes last term, winning both games 2-0, including this corresponding fixture in North London when Thomas Partey found the net along with another Lacazette penalty.

They have won 70 of their clashes since the very first meeting in 1895 in the old League Division Two when Leicester Fosse defeated Woolwich Arsenal 3-1.

Overall, Leicester have 33 successes and a further 45 meetings have ended all square.